Rio Americano Alumni Rescue Seniors' Trip To Magic Mountain

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A senior trip was better late than never for a group of graduates at Rio Americano High School.

Students were forced to cancel their senior trip to Magic Mountain on Saturday after learning the bus company they booked with had uncertified drivers. But a local, family owned bus company is stepping up to help salvage their once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Two Rio Americano alumni who work for Amador Stage Lines offered up two of its buses to help make this senior trip a reality. And for many students, it's a graduation gift they'll never forget.

After hitting the brakes on their senior celebration, Rio Americano students are back in the driver's seat of their class trip.

RELATED: Bus Blunder Forces Quick End To Rio Americano Senior Trip

"Meet at the school at 3, go to Magic Mountain, hang out there until about 5 in the morning and come back and be here around 1:30 or 2," said Alex Kirkpatrick a Rio Americano graduate.

Kirkpatrick is one of more than 100 seniors riding out a bus blunder for the last three days after learning US Coachways, the company hired to take students to Magic Mountain, sub-contracted the work only to provide uncertified drivers. It's a move that forced students to cancel their trip and walk away from thousands of dollars.

"I think it's been a little emotional for a lot of people because they were so upset that we couldn't go. But they're looking forward to graduation and for everything else, and it was kind of like the cherry on top that we're actually able to go on the trip," said Talia Gonzalez, a Rio Americano graduate.

But that's when sisters, and Rio Americano alums, Laura and Lisa Allen swooped in with one sweet surprise: two buses to shuttle the students to Magic Mountain.

"We wanted to help the students. We know how important memories are and making memories with classmates. It's like a once-in-a-lifetime trip you can't do over," said Laura Allen, with Amador Stage Lines.

It's a generous move that, parents say, provides an important life lesson.

"To watch your kids kind of step up and accept it in a mature way and the kids collectively do it in a very mature way, it's been special for me," Luis Gonzalez, father of a Rio Americano graduate.

But what certifications does a driver need to transport students on a charter bus? Bus driver Chris Knight says it comes down to a SPAB, a school pupil activity bus certification, that should be displayed in the vehicle.

RELATED: Parents Worried After Warning Threatens School Shooting At Rio Americano High

"That's a special driver's certificate that shows the driver has had the proper education and training and that it is not expired, and also the bus has been inspected by the California Department of the Highway Patrol," said Knight.

With plans to hit the road Thursday afternoon, the graduates of today still have one more day of being kids tomorrow.

Amador Stage Lines tells CBS13 US Coachways is paying for the buses to make up for the mistake. In addition to the buses, students were able to have the dates on those Magic Mountain tickets switched up as well, so no one is out any money.

US Coachways told us: "We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. It is not our intention to cancel school charters or any charter for that matter.

We will be doing research on exactly what transpired and will be back in touch upon further investigation."